Han Shizu

Chapter 861 The sense of urgency in the upper echelons of Liao

When he returned from his mission, the first thing he did was to pay a visit to the emperor, but when he arrived at the imperial tent, he reasonably failed to see Yelvjing immediately.However, they were not treated lightly, and Xiao Haili, Prime Minister of Beifu, personally received them.

Xiao Haili has a big appearance and a good image. She was born in the Khitan Northern Prefecture aristocracy.

In the early years, he was slightly implicated because of Yelucha's rebellion, but as a close relative of the emperor, there was no major problem, and he was talented. Yelujing also appreciated his diligence and dedication, and later promoted him to be the prime minister of the Beifu, very trustworthy.And Xiao Haili is only 40 years old now, but she already knows the military and state affairs, and assists in the administration.

In recent years, the clan kings of the Liao Kingdom have fought against each other. Compared with Xiao Husi who blindly catered to Yelvjing and never dissuaded him from admonishing, Xiao Haili's prison sentence was just and he had no grievances. Therefore, he has always had a good reputation and was praised by many people. The old minister of Zong didn't underestimate him because he was "young".

Yelujing's reputation in the official history is not good. He is a sleepy king and a fool, and he plays without restraint. However, after careful inspection, it can be found that during his reign, a large number of people with the ability to govern the country emerged from the upper echelons of the Liao Kingdom. minister.

As for why he is notorious, there are indeed some chaotic actions such as disregarding rewards and punishments, ignoring government affairs, and excessive bloodthirsty, especially in his later years, but more factors are likely to lie in the comments of later generations.After Yelujing, Jingzong Yeluxian was the son of Yeluruan, and the throne returned to the lineage of Dongdan King Yelubei again. As Taizong's son, Yelujing magnified some of his shortcomings in political life to discredit him. It is not incomprehensible. things.

Both are important ministers in the official system in the north of the Liao Kingdom, one is the prime minister of the Beifu, and the other is the secret envoy of the Beifu. The power and status of the two are not disparate, and they communicate with an equal attitude.

"Your Majesty is still hunting?" Xiao Husi asked as he sat down under the tent.

"Exactly!" Xiao Haili nodded with a helpless expression on her solemn face.

Hearing this, Xiao Husi was not surprised, and asked directly: "Why did Your Majesty think of going south to Yunzhou for hunting? Could it be that there has been a change in Han affairs?"

Obviously, as a person with rich experience and high political sensitivity, Xiao Husi couldn't help guessing in his heart, especially when Fang returned from his envoy to the north and had a secret meeting with Zhao Siwan, he couldn't help but make more associations.In particular, Yelujing had also been emperor for more than seven years, and it was the first time that he went south like a crowd and paid attention to the affairs in the south.

Xiao Haili shook his head, and said: "Your Majesty's mind is beyond our ability to guess. It may be just a whim to visit all regions in the past few years. I came from the south to observe. After all, the counties and states in the south are also from my Daliao. The country needs land!"

Speaking of this, Xiao Haili said to Xiao Husi: "This time, Privy Councilor Bei was ordered to go to the Han Kingdom for nearly half a year, and he has not returned until now. I think I have gained a lot!"

Mentioning this, Xiao Husi's expression became serious, and he sighed slightly, and said: "It has only been 12 years since the establishment of the Han Kingdom, but now it has become a powerful enemy of our Daliao. You must speak to your majesty, take precautions early, and the troubles in the south It is already deep, if it is not controlled, it will definitely endanger Daliao in the future!"

Xiao Husi was usually a very cautious person. Now, seeing him showing such an attitude and directly expressing his fear and worry about the Northern Han Dynasty, Xiao Haili also became serious.

In fact, with the internal stability of the Liao Kingdom and the gradual recovery of its national power, many upper echelons of the Liao Kingdom inevitably turned their attention to the big men in the south.After all, there is no shortage of insightful people in the upper class of the Liao Kingdom.

After three generations of laying the foundation, today's Liao Kingdom can no longer be viewed simply as a nomadic country. The capture of Youyun and the Liaodong region, the integration of Han culture, and the establishment of the monarchy have greatly strengthened the feudal attributes of the Liao Kingdom. This is an almost irreversible process.Although the in-depth reform process of Sinicization has been hindered during the years of Yelvjing's reign, the upper echelons have been fully influenced and influenced by Han culture for a long time.

Taking history as a mirror, it seems that noble ministers like Yeluwuzhi also learned to read the classics of the Han family. There are also Han officials in the Liao court, and they can all understand that a unified and powerful Central Plains dynasty is a huge threat to them.

Therefore, when the two powers stand side by side, and after the internal conflicts are alleviated, it is impossible not to focus on the big man in the south.Especially after today's big man shows his sharpness and shows a strong offensive, it has aroused many people's concerns.

Even in the official history, Zhou Shizong made great efforts to govern, conquered from east to west, and the Liao Kingdom never stopped its hindrances, and the Hebei area was constantly intruded.

Zhou Shi's crusade against the Northern Han Dynasty was also supported by a large army, and he was committed to suppressing it.Because of his deep disturbance, Chai Rong could not wait to launch the Northern Expedition shortly after capturing Huainan. Recovering Youyan is definitely a great ambition. Attacking the Liao Kingdom and reversing the passive situation of the northern defense is the main purpose. After all the work, he returned from a serious illness.Even so, Ying and Mo were recovered, and soldiers threatened Youzhou, which laid the foundation for the construction of the later three-pass defense line.

The reason why the Han Dynasty was able to maintain a better international environment and lighter frontier defense pressure than that of the Later Zhou Dynasty was not only the power change and political turmoil of the Liao Kingdom similar to the official history, but also the root cause of the Luancheng War, which made its military strength, Great loss of national power.The casualties of the army, the change of the emperor's throne, and all the losses in the war could not make up for the domestic losses. As a result, in the next few years or even ten years, they could not have enough strength to effectively suppress the rising big man.

Back then, Yeluruan could also be considered to have the foresight and determination to personally raise a large number of troops, and wanted to wrestle with the big man.At that time, the Great Han had only really stabilized for two or three years, and its overall strength was not particularly strong. If Yeluruan was allowed to successfully launch the Han-Liao War, even if the Great Han could not be destroyed, it would greatly weaken its national strength and hinder its unification.

However, a rebellion in Huoshendian turned all Yeluruan's plans into naught, and even lost his life, and the emperor's position was displaced.Taking advantage of this rare relaxed environment, the great Han monarchs and ministers firmly seized the good opportunity, reformed and strengthened, conquered the south, collected land, cities, and population, and fought stronger and stronger.

In the side tent, after listening to Xiao Husi's words, Xiao Haili showed a serious expression, looked at him and said: "Daliao has devoted itself to peace in these years, and Han's ambition is to unify, and its threat is growing. Although I don't feel deeply, but It can also be observed. According to the views of the Northern Privy Councilor, is it possible to start the Northern Expedition in Han today?"

Hearing this, Xiao Hu thought for a while, and his tone was very firm: "From what I've found out, the Han Kingdom already has the strength for the Northern Expedition, but its government is still in the power of a small country in the south. Great Liao is the enemy. The war between Liao and Han is inevitable after all!"

When Xiao Husi said this, Xiao Haili became more cautious and said: "The experience and insights of this mission, the Privy Councilor Bei will report it to His Majesty in detail!"

"That's exactly what I mean!" Xiao Husi nodded.

"Prince Bei, the King of the Northern Courtyard is here!" While the two were chatting, the guards came to report.

"Please!" Xiao Haili said.

The two stood up at the same time, ready to go to meet them.Because of his meritorious service, coupled with his erudition, outstanding political talent, and certain military capabilities, Yelv Wuzhi was named King of the Northern Academy by Yelujing, the head of the northern official system of the Liao Kingdom, and managed the affairs of the Fifth Northern Academy.

In terms of status, there are many nobles in the Liao Kingdom who are more noble than Yeluwu, but when it comes to political status and power, there are almost none who are comparable to him.Therefore, Xiao Haili and Xiao Husi respected this noble minister who stopped civil strife twice and preserved Khitan's strength, and did not dare to neglect him.

However, before the two of them got out of the tent, Yelu's house had already been taken inside.

"Meet Your Majesty!" The two saluted.

Yelu Wuzhi is just at the prime of his life, with calm knowledge and excellent demeanor, and his high position all the year round makes him even more majestic.After waving his hands, Yelu Wuzhi cast his eyes directly on Xiao Husi, and said straight to the point: "I heard that Privy Councilor Bei is back, I came here specially to say hello, and I also want to hear about your experience of going south!"

Apparently, Yelu Wuzhi was also concerned about it.

(End of this chapter)